Supporters of President Trump gathered outside of Walter Reed Medical Center to wish him a fast recovery after he was diagnosed with ...
Supporters of President Trump gathered outside of Walter Reed Medical Center to wish him a fast recovery after he was diagnosed with COVID-19, as dozens joined for a boat rally in Florida to support him in New York City.
The last several days have proved unpredictable for the Trump administration as they battled both illness and dwindling poll numbers just one month before the contentious November election.
It was confirmed early Friday morning that Trump and First Lady Melania tested positive following several days of campaign rallies and Tuesday's debate with Joe Biden in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nearly a dozen people who worked at the first presidential debate tested positive after Chris Wallace, moderator and Fox News anchor, claimed that the Trump family did not undergo prior testing and refused to wear masks.
At least seven of Trump's inner circle, including Kellyanne Conway, revealed they were infected after attending Amy Coney Barret's 'superspreader' Supreme Court Justice nomination in the Rose Garden last week.
A small handful of President Trump supporters gathered outside of Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to show support for him and send him well-wishes
Scores of boats took to the waters of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they held a 'Make American Boats Great Again' parade in the president's honor
In New York City, people gathered near a Regal Cinema in Staten Island to pray for President Trump after his COVID-19 diagnosis on Friday
A small crowd began to grow on Friday evening after President Trump confirmed he had COVID-19 and was later transported from the White House to Walter Reed Medical Center
Those who showed up to Walter Reed Medical Center brought Trump 2020 flags, 'Make America Great Again' paraphernalia and other campaign items
People hold a pro-Trump rally on October 3, 2020 in the borough of Staten Island in New York City that was organized by the Staten Island Republican Party (pictured)
But on Saturday, a small crowd Trump's fervent supporters joined together outside the Bethesda, Maryland, medical center on Saturday just before 9am.
People wore 'Make America Great Again' paraphernalia, waved campaign signs and hoisted Americans flags.
One man brought a handmade 'get well' sign decorated a small photo of Trump, two stuffed animals and a campaign ball cap.
Although a few attendees wore face coverings, including one man who had a gas mask, not everyone seated outside the medical center did so - underscoring the president's laissez faire approach to pandemic-era CDC guidelines that have seeped into his base.
One man who arrived outside of Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland donned a Make America Great Again ball cap and a gas mask (pictured)
Pictured: Supporters of US President Donald J. Trump show their support by waving to passing vehicles and holding signs wishing him well outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Eleni Dorian: 'It’s always beautiful to see the president, it’s always beautiful, even with this type of circumstance'
'It’s always beautiful to see the president, it’s always beautiful, even with this type of circumstance,' Eleni Dorian, who drove from Washington D.C., told NBC Washington.
'He’s going to be ok because God’s in control. I’m sending prayers his way.'
The night before, Trump attempted to connect with the growing number of supporters outside of Walter Reed Medical Center by sending them chocolates.
According to Fox News Anchor Laura Ingraham, Trump had learned of his dedicated supporters while inside his medical room and sent out Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to hand out the candy.
Footage taken by Twitter user @DPotcner showed Meadows carrying a chocolate-filled bag as he approached the cheering crowd.
Pictured: A group of US President Donald Trump supporters gather outside Walter Reed Hospital where he is receiving treatment after COVID-19 diagnosis on October 2, 2020, in Bethesda, Maryland
When asked, Meadows told the small crowd that Trump was 'doing well,' 'in good spirits' and 'loves America.'
Additionally, alt-right conservative Jack Posobiec said someone from California had Domino's pizza delivered to the crowd.
After his diagnosis, Trump boarded onto Marine One on Friday night and was transported from the White House to the medical center some 30 minutes away.
Throughout Friday, reports on Trump's diagnosis ranged from 'mild' to 'moderate,' and his supporters sighed an air of relief when physician Sean Conley offered a positive update.
'This morning, the president is doing very well. The team and I are extremely happy with the progress the president has made. He's been fever free for 24 hours and we are cautiously optimistic,' Conley said at a press briefing.
Medical staff said Trump is in high spirits on Saturday, but a White House source said that the next 24 hours could be critical in terms of his health
But just minutes later, a White House source familiar with the situation revealed to a Bloomberg Business reporter on background that Conley's update was optimistic.
'The president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery,' the source said.
Since, questions were raised as Conley refused to say what Trump's temperature was when he had a fever, whether he was on oxygen and when he last tested negative for coronavirus.
Questions about Trump's illness timeline also emerged after Conley said he was 72 hours into his diagnosis. If true, that would mean Trump was diagnosed on Wednesday morning - before he held a fundraiser with 100 people at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
But questions weren't a deterrent to Trump's supporters who simply wished their candidate a smooth, healthy recovery.
'He's our president, he’s our boss, we are coming here to support him,' one supporter told NBC Washington.
And Kiran Banwait, who brought her curious seventh grader to the small rally, added that seeing Trump wear a face mask before he boarded Marine One pointed to a new level of awareness.
'It just shows that he cares. Now, he’s more aware, he needs to be more aware and he needs to wear a mask.'
Pictured: a handmade get well sign created by a Trump supporter who arrived outside of Walter Reed Medical Center on Saturday
Further south, supporters of President Trump held another 'Make American Boats Great Again Parade' event in Florida on Saturday.
A video shared to Twitter by a member of Trump's campaign 'War Room' showed droves of boats - both big and small - sailing through the waters of Fort Lauderdale.
Photos taken from the shoreline showed boats outfitted with a swath of 'Make America Great Again', American and the Thin Blue Line flags clinched atop.
One boat with at least four supporters on it donned a large sculpture of Trump's head that was mounted on top.
A group that participated in the President Trump boat rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, placed a large sculpture of his head atop their boat (pictured)
Two women wearing American flag-themed bathing suits wave to a group across the waters during a President Trump boat rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Two woman standing inside a restaurant near the shoreline in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, wear 'Trump 2020' pins and support those who attended the boat rally (pictured)
This boat rally followed a series of similar events held in last month across the country as a wave of Trump support took over Labor Day Weekend
Pictured: One man at the Fort Lauderdale rally wore a cut-out of President Trump's face as he drove the boat on Saturday
Some banners read 'Trump 2020: No More Bull****' and Confederate flags held the phrase 'Come and take it.'
A super supporter wore a blonde wig resembling Trump's and waved around a small American flag.
Despite the area receiving a downpour of rain Saturday evening, boats were still spotted out on the waters into the afternoon
This boat rally followed a series of similar events held in last month across the country as a wave of Trump support took over Labor Day Weekend.
At least nine cities across the country, from California to Georgia and back again, hosted Great American Boat Parade events to herald the current Commander-in-Chief for a second term.
At one held at Lake Travis, Texas, officials said that five boats sank and a flurry of distress calls were made to 911.
Pictured: One group who attended that boat rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, arrived in a 'Keep America Great' Trump vessel
Pictured: One man who attended President Trump boat rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, dressed up as the Commander-in-Chief and waved a small American flag
Pictured: A man hoists four 'Trump 2020: No More Bull****' flags on his boat while attending a Make American Boats Great Again rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Pictured: a woman at the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, boat rally on Saturday held up signs reading 'Pro-America, Anti-Biden' and other similar signs
Supporters of US President Donald Trump participate in a boat rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday to show support for the president ahead of the election
Lake Travis, a reservoir on the Colorado River, is known for its hazardous sailing conditions at times and has been the site of dozens of boating accidents over the years. No injuries or deaths were reported.
In New York, residents who attended the New York Triumph Rally bowed their heads and clasped their hands in prayer for the president.
Spectrum News 1 reports that the event focused on small businesses, supporting law enforcement and Trump.
Pictured: Daniela Taomorina of Staten Island participates in a prayer with supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was diagnosed with the coronavirus disease
A Trump supporter at a rally for President Trump in the borough of Staten Island holds an American flag and wears similarly themed clothes
A young child holds a Trump-Pence 2020 banner while sitting on his father's shoulders at a rally in Staten Island on Saturday
This man who attended that President Trump rally organized by the Staten Island Republican Party held a sign that read, 'Pray with me for our president' (pictured)
The revelation that Trump has coronavirus was not a deterrent for the event organizers.
'I’m not particularly concerned about us doing peaceful protest of folks here in Staten Island when we saw thousands upon thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters in Prospect Park,' Brendan Lantry, the head of the Staten Island GOP, told the publication.
'This event is going to be on a much, much smaller scale than a lot of those riots and protests, and so we’re going to do our best to ensure that people are safe.'
The event was held near a Regal Cinemas in the neighborhood of Charleston.
People who attended that Trump rally, organized by the Staten Island Republican Party, wore t-shirts supporting him and Mike Pence for an additional four terms in office
Brendan Lantry to Spectrum News 1: 'This event is going to be on a much, much smaller scale than a lot of those riots and protests, and so we’re going to do our best to ensure that people are safe'
Pictured: a woman at a President Trump rally in Staten Island wore a face mask that had the phrase, 'This mask is as useless our governor'
A woman appeared to be overcome with emotions while attending the New York Triumph Rally in Staten Island, New York, on Saturday
Pictured: Police fist bump with a trump supporter during a pro-Trump rally on October 3, 2020 in the borough of Staten Island in New York City
And in Ohio, hundreds of fans drove down I-270 through Columbus - two hours away from Cleveland - in support of Trump.
American and Thin Blue Line flags were attached to vehicles as people waved similar flags from atop the overpass.
Authorities confirmed that a shooting took place near the parade, NBC4i reports. The publication reports that one attendee opened fire and the bullet shot through another person's truck window.
The shooter has not been apprehended by police and the search is ongoing.
Pictured: Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump take part in a car parade in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday
A woman waves the U.S. flag as supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump take part in a car parade in Columbus, Ohio, after he confirmed his COVID-19 diagnosis
Authorities are looking for a gunman who opened fire near the car parade on Saturday
Back in Washington, officials are dealing with the fallout of the coronavirus which has rampaged though Trump's senior staff since the nomination event for his Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barret last weekend.
At least nine senior figures who attended 'superspreader' event in the White House Rose Garden are now battling the virus.
Donald Trump, his wife Melania, Hope Hicks, Kellyanne Conway, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Trump's campaign manager Bill Stepiens, two senators - Mike Lee from Utah and Thom Tillis from North Carolina - plus the president of Notre Dame university, John Jenkins, have now all tested positive for COVID-19.
Nine people have now tested positive for coronavirus, after attending Saturday's Rose Garden event. They are 1: Donald Trump, 2: Melania Trump, 3: University of Notre Dame President John Jenkins, 4: Senator Mike Lee, 5: Senator Thom Tillis, 6: Kellyanne Conway, 7: Chris Christie, as well as Hope Hicks and Bill Stepien (not pictured)
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